Full Sperling: Windows' Report Card: Store, Surface

dwshorowitz:

I just took a break from work to sit at the local mall, sip coffee, and read a book. I stopped at the Apple Store to shoot the shit with a “Genius” team member, and figure out which computer will replace my aging MacBook Pro. We had a thought provoking discussion about innovation, product roadmap,…

Another perfect example that technology these days should be intuitive to use out of the box.  

The designer of the device says it takes about 5 days to get used to typing on this. We typically sell this other attachable keyboard which is easier to use. I snapped the default touch cover off and replaced it with the plastic-keyed cover he recommended. Day and night difference! 

Microsoft Needs Dell to Downplay Windows RT Myths

Yesterday, Eric Brown posted an article on his blog, Looking at Windows RT Myths, which reviews a white paper co-authored by Dell and Microsoft.  While the contents of the white paper at a high level are correct there are some fine details that need to be pointed out for enterprise IT professionals.

Item 1 - Windows RT is Manageable via SCCM and Intune

  • Eventually, RT devices will be available to manage via Intune accounts which not every enterprise has today.  The reason for saying eventually is that the new version of Intune was released in mid December and has not been pushed out to all customers yet.  So Intune customers may or may not see the ability to manage RT devices via their company’s console.  Also, in order to use Intune with SCCM the enterprise needs to be on SCCM 2012.  

Item 2 - Setting up Windows RT to work in an enterprise environment is difficult

  • First off, setting up the RT for basic enterprise email is not as intuitive as other tablet OS’s due to the requirement to have a Microsoft Live ID.  Why on earth Microsoft requires a Live ID in order to enable the functionality to connect to an Exchange Server is beyond me.  Apple doesn’t even require on their ID’s to begin using there iOS devices.  
  • The white paper mentions that the RT device can connect directly to VDI to access enterprise hosted desktops and applications.  This assumes that the company is using Microsoft VDI solutions and it is pretty safe to assume that they majority of corporation use Citrix for these services.  In regards to Citrix, companies are required to have NetScalers in play with CloudStore enabled to access virtual resources inside the enterprise.  In most cases, enterprises don’t have both of these services enabled in their enterprise.

Item 3 - Windows RT is a perfect complement to the Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) trend in the marketplace today

  • Right now with the requirements to connect to enterprise Citrix services makes the RT a deal breaker.  Once more enterprises have the Citrix Cloud Store in place then the RT would be an a fine BYOD solution.  However, it is highly recommended that the Type Cover be the keyboard of choice.

Finally, if you are considering getting a Surface RT then check with your company’s IT department to ensure that you will have access.

A Realistic Review of the "Surface"?

lilly:

Started playing around with a Microsoft Surface this afternoon — figured I would be able to write up early impressions quickly, but I have to say that it’s a bit of a puzzler to me so far. (And I’ll conflate the Surface hardware with Windows RT generally - I find them hard to really separate.)

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As more folks get their hands on the Surface will they have the same overall comments?

Banking on Office for Suface Success is a Bad Move

Brian Madden makes some valid points in the linked article that Microsoft is relying on the Office brand to sell the Surface.  If this is Microsoft’s thinking then the Surface is doomed from the outset.  The issue is that the current version of Office is not suitable for the touch interface as anyone who has used it virtually on a iPad will a test to.  Microsoft will most  likely state that this the reason that they are providing the keyboard with the Surface but if the keyboard is required and the pricing is near an ultrabook, then why wouldn’t one just buy an ultrabook.  One of the points in Madden’s article is that Office will come for free on the RT version of the Surface.  However, call me skeptical, but I doubt that Office will be free to the enterprise because nothing is ever free from Microsoft.